NFL CT Update: Tyvon Branch, Sio Moore Anchor Raiders Defense

Plenty of players with ties to Connecticut have seen action in the first two weeks of the NFL season. Most were caught on camera. Here's a look:

Staff Reports

Bloomfield Julian Stanford promoted to Lions' active roster

Through two weeks of the NFL season, most of the 23 players with Connecticut ties have seen action, many as starters. So far one player has been sidelined: Redskins tight end Jordan Reed's status is uncertain after he injured his hamstring in Week 1. There was also good news for Lions linebacker Julian Stanford who was promoted to the 53-man roster off the practice squad. Standouts stat-wise? So far it would have to be former UConn stars Tyvon Branch and Sio Moore playing defense for the Raiders. Branch leads 0-2 Oakland with 19 tackles and Moore is second with 18. Each player has a sack.

Here's a recap of how the state's NFL contingent fared:

BILLS: Marcus Easley, WR, UConn: Played special teams in both games. No catches yet on offense.

Week 1: Two tackles on special teams vs. Bears. Week 2: Two tackles on special teams vs. Dolphins.

San Diego Chargers starting running back Ryan Mathews has a sprained MCL in his right knee and could miss four to five weeks, multiple media outlets reported Monday. The injury should allow for more playing time for former UConn star Donald Brown.

San Diego Chargers starting running back Ryan Mathews has a sprained MCL in his right knee and could miss four to five weeks, multiple media outlets reported Monday. The injury should allow for more playing time for former UConn star Donald Brown.

Week 1 Brown. Two carries for minus-2. Week 2: Seven carries for 21 yards and three catches for 10. Will see expanded playing time this week in moving up the depth chart with injury to starter Ryan Matthews..

CHIEFS: Anthony Sherman, FB, UConn; and Marcus Cooper, CB, Bloomfield: Sherman has started both games. Cooper was inactive in Week 1 and started in Week 2.

Week 1 Sherman: Had one carry for 4 yards. On special teams had a tackled and forced a fumble. Week 2. No carries or receptions vs. Chiefs.

Week 1: Four tackles and a pass defensed vs. Broncos; was on field for more than half of defensive snaps. Week 2: Started as part of a five-man DB package - made five tackles and defensed two passes vs. Eagles.

Week 1 Todman: Three carries for 6 yards and one catch for 5; also returned two KOs for a total of 26 yards. Week 2: No offensive stats and returned five KOs for 137 yards (27.4 avg.),

LIONS: Dan Orlovsky, QB, UConn; and Julian Stanford, LB, Bloomfield: Orlovsky carried the clipboard for the first two weeks as the backup to Matthew Stafford. Stanford spent the first two games on the practice squad but was promoted to the main roster on Tuesday.

RAIDERS: Tyvon Branch, S, UConn; and Sio Moore, LB, UConn: Both players have started both games, Branch at strong safety and Moore at weakside linebacker.

Week 1 Branch: Had seven tackles - including a sack for a 19-yard loss - and one pass defensed. Week 2: Led team with 11 tackles vs. Texans.

Week 1 Moore: Had team-leading 12 tackles, including one sack for 12 yards, and forced a fumble. Week 2: Six tackles, including one for loss.

REDSKINS: Jordan Reed, TE, New London; and Chris Baker, DL, Windsor: Reed won the starting job but was injured in the opener and is out indefinitely with a bad hamstring. Baker started at left end in Week 1 and nose tackle in Week 2. Former UConn star Nick Williams had been part of the practice squad to start the season but has since been released.

Week 1 Reed: Knocked out of game after seven plays vs. Texans, had one catch for 4 yards. Week 2: Inactive vs. Jaguars.

Week 1 Baker: Had three tackles. Week 2: Had three tackles including one for a loss.

TEXANS: Ryan Griffin, UConn, TE: Came off the bench in both games.

Week 1: Caught one pass for 6 yards vs. Redskins. Week 2: Had no stats vs. Raiders but was on field for 27 snaps on offense and also played special teams.

TITANS: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, DB, UConn: Started both games at cornerback.